{New chapter} Nightmare

[AN- this chapter continues after "{new chapter} a mess". I'll be deleting the unedited chapters so that I can write them better so I guess I don't need to move these chapters. Anyways I tried to add some depth]

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I found myself in a vast, desolate desert, stretching as far as my eyes could perceive.

The undulating dunes of sand resembled frozen waves, and peculiar rock formations, resembling the twisted shapes of wilted trees, sporadically dotted the barren landscape.

As I began to examine my surroundings, my vision was forcibly drawn behind me.

As I turned, an oasis became visible on the horizon, shimmering like a mirage.

As my vision moved toward the oasis on it's own, I became aware that I lacked a distinct physical form within this dream, yet my ethereal presence continued to move steadily toward the oasis.

Before me, two men stood in the shadow of a colossal tree, their forms appearing minuscule in comparison, like ants beside a giant.

Adjacent to the gargantuan tree lay an immense moss-covered rock, roughly half the size of the tree itself.

Upon closer inspection, the rock took on the semblance of a sculpted statue, resembling a creature with the features of an elephant.

As they faced the towering tree, a profound silence descended upon the two figures. Yet, their reactions to this imposing sight diverged dramatically.

One of the men exhibited far greater emotional intensity, his clenched fist radiating an aura of fiery fervor. In stark contrast, the other man remained imperturbable, displaying not a hint of emotion.

As if the very concept was something he deemed unnecessary.

"████", incomprehensible words spilled from the indifferent man's mouth, abruptly arresting the fiery anger of his companion and extinguishing the blazing aura that had enveloped him.

Following this intervention, the now-calm youth vanished through spatial travel, leaving the remaining man alone.

For a fleeting moment, the solitary figure lingered in the presence of the colossal tree. Eventually, he turned away and departed, his demeanor unaltered, and his indifference unwavering.

...

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...

In recent nights, my past life's dreams had grown infrequent, instead my dreams shifted to a series of inexplicable and often unsettling scenarios.

"—"

These dreams varied from the mundane act of eating food to dreadful apocalyptic scenarios.

"—yu..."

'An omen of some sort, perhaps?' I pondered, though my thoughts were abruptly interrupted as my vision was forcibly drawn toward the one before me.

"Jianyu!" A concerned voice calling my name snapped me out of my reverie.

It was Xifeng, her brow furrowed with evident worry, "Are you feeling alright?"

I hesitated for a moment, realizing I couldn't simply answer her halfheartedly. "Lately, I've been facing some challenges with my cultivation," I admitted. "I suppose it affected me more than I thought."

Her expression briefly turned bitter, concealed behind a smile.

"Is that so..." She quickly recovered her cheerful demeanor. "Oh! That reminds me, I prepared some food for you this morning."

However, I couldn't resist smiling back, momentarily forgetting my worries.

"Well then," I responded. "Let me call for Mo Suyin and Xin Guang. It seems those two haven't eaten yet."

"Alright..." Her smile seemed to falter for a moment, betraying her emotions.

"Haha," I chuckled, finding her adorable in her efforts to mask her emotions.

"Why don't we..." I closed in leaning over the table toward her, who sat at the opposite end, "...have a little outing with just the two of us?"

At my suggestion, her cheeks instantly flushed a deep shade of red, and she lowered her head, replying in a soft, barely audible voice, "Yesh..."

Her response was reminiscent of our initial interactions, when she had been shy and reserved.

In truth, I had been aware of her (rather obvious) feelings for me for quite some time.

However, I deliberately avoided delving into matters of love because, I think... no, I know that I do not love her.

Love is not something that occurs at first sight, that's merely lust.

Love couldn't be born from a handful of brief encounters where both parties only showed their best sides to each other.

Love is when one realises and comes to accept the other's faults, perhaps even finding them endearing.

But that is not to say that I found my current situation to be disagreeable on the contrary, this situation was...

'Spending my time like this is...'

Strangely pleasant.

...

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...

Time flowed steadily, and a full month had slipped away.

Within the secluded cultivation chambers on Lunar Frost Peak, Jianyu remained engrossed in his rigorous training.

His unwavering dedication was aimed at fortifying his foundational strength, pushing him closer to a breakthrough into the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment realm.

However, amidst his focused efforts, a surprising turn of events unfolded. Unbeknownst to anyone, a delicate wisp of golden flames descended from the heavens, navigating through intricate formations with absolute precision, until it breached the barriers guarding Jianyu's Sea of Consciousness.

And thus began an unexpected and irregular nightmare.